Myanmar's Yangon

Mandalay

 Arguably one of the finest cities in Myanmar is the cultural capital of Mandalay. With a spectacular array of ancient temples and pristine panoramas, Mandalay rivals the capital in terms of sensational sights. Just northeast of Mandalay Fort and its royal palace, the ornate central landmarks of the city, rises Mandalay Hill, the breathtaking bluff responsible for the city’s captivating allure as well as its name.

From the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, noted for its massive seated image of the Buddha carved from but one single block of marble, to the Sandamani Paya, where a cluster of slender whitewashed stupas stand on the site of King Mindon’s temporary palace; the Mahamuni Paya, where the highly venerated Mahamuni image transported from Mrauk U in Rakhaing stands as the centerpiece, to the Shwenandaw Kyaung, displaying not only a spectacular example of traditional Burmese wooden architecture but also a delicate reminder of the old Mandalay Fort, Mandalay offers a rich collage of historical sights to return you to the days of its past.

Aside from the impressive collection of Buddhist monasteries that dot the city, Mandalay presents a plethora of highlights along its rolling countryside. Explore Amarapura with its many fine pagodas, intriguing ruins of the old palace, and Chinese joss house and shops where cotton and silk longyis are woven with unmatched skill.